Salt & Straw

I have a problem. It's an obsession... Salt & Straw.  It will change your life, seriously.  If you weren't an ice cream believer before, you will be one now.  This new ice cream shoppe just celebrated their 1 year anniversary this week on NE Alberta street.  It's scary because they live so close to us, exactly 1.2 miles away according to Google maps. Our family now has the phrase "buzzing the tower," which translated means, let's drive by Salt & Straw and see how long our wait will be.  This little ice cream shoppe means business and busyness.  There is ALWAYS A LINE! Don't go on weekends unless you are prepared to wait about 20-45+ mins for your scope.  But it is still worth the wait.  My husband and father on mother's day weekend witnessed the line to be over 2 blocks down the street, so they drove to Safeway and picked up a Ben & Jerry's pint, the next best thing. :)

Salt & Straw is known for their unique flavors and organic ingredients.  They go from "cow to cone," and use only the best milk and products from Oregon! Some great flavors include: Pear and Bleu Cheese, Arbequina Olive Oil, Cinnamon Snicker doodle, and of course our all time classic favorite, Sea Salt ice cream with Caramel Ribbon. There are more delicious combinations and the best part of this whole experience when you visit is the 'taste testing.'   Now confession, I can be so indecisive when it comes to decision making, especially when I have so many choices, my family can attest... whether it be from what movie do I want to watch that night or what ice cream flavor do I want, I get so overwhelmed. I still have opinions, yes... just narrow down my choices and I am good to go. But at Salt & Straw, I have never felt guilty trying so many flavors nor pressured that I am taking too long to decide my flavor due to people behind me in line... no, they are enjoying tasting the flavors as well.  Good times had by all! Scott's favorite right now is their Affogato.  It's a scoop of double fold vanilla with a shot of Portland's own Stumptown espresso! Irresistible! To top it off, Salt & Straw makes their own waffle cones, creating the ultimate ice cream experience.  I have turned my whole family and many friends into Salt & Straw believers.  For those that live on the west side of town, Salt & Straw recently just open another shoppe in the Pearl District.  We still have yet to go visit that location.  I am impressed to see all the vintage ice cream products on display, the shoppe is set up in such a way that it feels as if you are stepping back into a slower and simpler time in life... radios and candy stores... a bit of the Willy Wonka golden ticket feel.

Now that Hannah is almost 7 months, I have started to look into planning for her first birthday party and guess what?  Salt & Straw caters! I was thrilled when I found out this information, thanks to my friend Elizabeth! So I have been pinteresting (is that even a word?) ice cream parties and there are so many adorable ideas.  This will be fun party to plan and delicious one to attend!

My next visit to S & S will be this weekend as my dear friend Alaina and her hubby Rob are coming to town to visit.  Plus she is pregnant and who knows a pregnant woman who doesn't like or many I say crave ice cream?! If you are in the area, send me a text, I am only 1.2 miles away and almost can't say no to make a trip to S & S, see what I mean... it's a problem!

Check out their website: Salt & Straw 

Hannah's first visit to Salt & Straw, nearly 2 weeks old.

One of the many trips to Salt & Straw!  Some employees even recognize Hannah!